Court clears way for state to award writer Babasaheb Purandare with Maharashtra Bhushan

MUMBAI: The decks have been cleared for Maharashtra to award writer ‘ Babasaheb Purandare’ with Maharashtra Bhushan the state’s highest honour.

The Bombay High court on Wednesday has rejected a petition filed by activists of the Sambhaji Brigade that had filed a PIL wanting a stay on the award. The Bombay HC has however quashed the PIL and has called it a ‘publicity stunt’ as the PIL has come up only a few hours before the award was to be bestowed on Purandare. Purandare is said to be honoured today in Raj Bhavan within a few hours. The HC has said that there was no ‘substance’ in the petition and has even fined the petitioners Rs 10,000 as fine for wasting the court’s time.

Meanwhile the Maharashtra government has deployed heavy security at the residence of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray. Raj who is one of the supporters of Babasaheb Purandare had blamed Nationalist Congress Party Chief Sharad Pawar for being behind the row over Purandare. The NCP has adopted an ambiguous stand with regard to the award being bestowed on Purandare. With Senior Party Chief Sharad Pawar raising questions on the award being bestowed on Purandare, however daughter Supriya Sule congratulating Purandare for being selected the award.

MNS activists have already hit the streets on Wednesday burning effigies of Pawar. Cops are anticipating clashes between NCP and MNS over the issue. Heavy security has also been deployed at Raj Bhavan.